18:01   28/10/2020

To my dear…

Today is a big day for Tempered City. An even bigger day for all its’ folk. Today, we are allowed to be outside. And shops are open for business! So we, the imprisoned, can finally go out and enjoy the festivities that the retail and hospitality industries have to offer. Father above, it’s been so long.

The plague and how the government responded had really left most of us folk in a state of captivity. Well, not me. Not exactly. All these rules of not to go outside unless it was for duties, health, or supplies, never truly applied to me. I felt. I am a free man. The thought of following such rules, to limit my liberty, never sat well at my table. Not for me. I went out if I felt like it. I went wherever I wanted. Visited whoever I wished. Attended wherever I pleased. I didn’t and I don’t believe that those rules were for me. It was against my nature. You know me. I’m the type to thrive by going against the grain, creating my own opportunities, breaking down unnecessary walls. To be told that I must stay indoors and follow the rules. No thank you! And that if I am caught, I’ll be sanctioned a high debt? So what! Such sanctions are pathetic. I didn’t realize freedom had such a price. But that price never bothered me. A coward fears such threats.

To be outside never meant I’d put my life or any other lives at risk. Well, of course there were risks to going outside. But that’s a different argument. I do not live in fear. I do not live with somebody else dictating what I can and cannot do. To me, that sounds like slavery. And not to say there is anything wrong with slavery. Many of the slaves out there that I know are extremely happy. After all, slavery is comfort. Slavery is stability. Slavery is security. But slavery is just not for me. My mind could never grow if I bound it by such institutions. Well, it could, but just not the way I love. Freely.

As I say all of this, that does not mean I’m not concerned about the plague, and what the plague can do to others. I’m completely aware of its contagious nature. I’m completely aware of its threat to the vulnerable populations. And I’m also aware of the stupidity that possess most of the lambs out there. So, a man is sensible. A man is always sensible. Everybody out there knows it. I’m aware of when I’m truly putting others at risk. Because yes. Sometimes a man must put others at risk. But not with this case. Rarely with any case, rather. Endangering others has never been tasteful for me. You know that.

But this plague is too dangerous, and I shouldn’t underestimate it? That fear is not for me. I think most folk out there forget something about me. I am a man of science. Of health, in particular. And even though I am only at the apprentice level, that by no means defines me as ignorant to the plague’s potential dangers. This is my damned field! I’m well versed in these matters!

I understand the fear and complications that come when somebody lacks knowledge. That’s natural. Folk fear what they don’t understand. Just as a child fears the dark. Or a lamb fears literature. The unknown is overwhelming. Seemingly difficult to manage. Out of one’s league. And what’s worse is the reactions of the authorities. When those you’re supposed to depend on show fear. Or show radical behaviour. That displays a total lack of control. That’s what making folk so fearful. That ‘lack of control’. That lack of confidence. And who can blame folk. Most never put in the effort when they were younger to learn the arts involved with this plague. Coin was more important that skills to survive. But this plague. To me, it’s just another beast on the list. And to possibly endanger the vulnerable population around me. Not a problem.

There’s only one major problem I found when it came to dealing with the plague. Sure, I was a free man. But a free man is quite lonesome when the rest of the worlds are busy imprisoning themselves. A man had places to go. But no one to see. Most hid in their borrows, while I danced alone. That’s what makes today so important. I’ve got lambs to dance with now. An audience for my music. What good is art if the rest of the worlds won’t experience it?

Who knows… Maybe the plague was a good reminder that in reality, I’ll always dance alone. We’ll see…

Tonight, I dine with old company. It’s no party. But I cherish those who cherish my time. And so, I will enjoy this night. And dance as I always have. Freely.

Love from yours truly

Daniel Roy